Bishop Kevin Farrell

The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas

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Catholic Schools Week 2016

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Catholic Schools Week

“Education cannot be neutral. It is either positive or negative; either it enriches or it impoverishes; either it enables a person to grow or it lessens, even corrupts him.”
– Pope Francis

As we observe Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 31 through Feb. 6, reflection on the theme chosen for 2016 seems appropriate, “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.”

Faith, the first of the trilogy in that theme reflects the words of the Holy Father at the top of this blog, namely that “education cannot be neutral.” The important difference in Catholic schools is that they are Catholic, the curriculum is infused with the values of the Gospel. Our new Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Dr. Matthew Vereecke put it well in an interview last week. “We should have two outcomes for every student that we form: college and heaven. These two goals completely encapsulate the mission of Catholic schools: first, an unmatched rigor in academics that propels students to outstanding outcomes, and second an unwavering commitment to a student’s spiritual, social, moral and ethical growth.”

Dr. Vereecke’s observations lead use to the second element of the theme, knowledge. It is not only the acquisition of knowledge, but also the development of critical thinking skills that enable students to understand it and apply it in their lives.

Pope Francis wrote in his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, “We are living in an information-driven society which bombards us indiscriminately with data—all treated as being of equal importance—and which leads to remarkable superficiality in the area of moral discernment. In response, we need to provide an education which teaches critical thinking and encourages the development of mature moral values.” (EG §64)

In his remarks, Dr. Vereecke pointed out that, “Catholic Schools must be about so much more than simply passing a certain test at a certain time. We must be entirely committed to the idea that we will form students in such a way that all will be able to sustain family, career, faith and the Church.”

Thirdly, service, Catholic education must develop a sense of the common good, a recognition of our interdependence and a realization that our faith and our discipleship call us to imitate Jesus who came to serve, not be served. (Mark 10:45).

Finally, Catholic Education must be accessible. The Diocese of Dallas recognizes the sacrifices made by parents to send their children to Catholic schools and strives to provide financial assistance through a variety of scholarships and other programs, not the least of which are the funds raised by the Bishop Farrell Annual Invitational Golf Tournament.

I salute the administrators and teachers whose commitment to Catholic Education make our schools “Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.”

Catholic education: A light in the darkness

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Catholic Education

To paraphrase Charles Dickens, youth and young adulthood are the best of times and the worst of times. The best of times because these are the years of exploration and discovery when young minds are like sponges and absorb ideas and values that will shape their future. On the other hand, they are also the worst of times because all of the ideas and values to which they are exposed are not benign or beneficial.

Pope Francis spoke to this danger in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium: “ …We are living in an information-driven society which bombards us indiscriminately with data—all treated as being of equal importance—and which leads to remarkable superficiality in the area of moral discernment. In response, we need to provide an education which teaches critical thinking and encourages the development of mature moral values.” (Par. 64)

Of course the first educators of children are their parents, and educators to whom they entrust their children must build on the foundation provided by the family. That education must do more than instill information and introduce and demonstrate the values of a Christian and civil society.

In the words of the Holy Father it must “provide an education which teaches critical thinking…” In order that they are able to analyze and evaluate concepts and ideas and make sound judgments in light of the teachings of Jesus.

Such is the mission of Catholic education at all levels. Catholic educators, lay, religious and clergy are committed to the formation of Christian women and men prepared to confront and change the society and world we leave to them. This is what motivates parents to make such great sacrifices to provide a Catholic education.

This Catholic Schools week I salute parents and educators who work together to make Catholic education a light in the darkness.

The value of our Catholic Schools

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A recent story in the New York Times reinforced once again the importance of our parochial schools and their value-centered education. Sadly, it came to light in conjunction with the closing of Blessed Sacrament School in the Bronx, New York.

Among those lamenting the decision to close the school was the valedictorian of the Class of 1968, a woman who grew up in the nearby projects. “I am heartbroken,” she said. “You know how important those eight years were? It’s symbolic of what it means for all our families, like my mother, who were dirt-poor. She watched what happened to my cousins in public school and worried if we went there, we might not get out. So she scrimped and saved. It was a road of opportunity for kids with no other alternative.”

Admitting that she sometimes chafed under the strict discipline of the sisters, she recalls in looking back that “It taught me how to be a good person,” adding “in the kind of world we lived in, with the drug addiction and crime and sadness that permeates the community, you needed a model of someone teaching you that being a good human being has value.”

In reporting on the story, the New York Times article noted that “a glance at some of New York City’s most successful and influential Latino and black professionals and politicians is like a Catholic School All-Star alumni roster.”

It struck me that Catholic Schools Week would be an appropriate time to repeat this story. The theme of the week, “Raising the Standards,” is the constant aim of Catholic Education at all levels. I am extremely proud of the teachers and administrators who set and maintain the high standards in our Catholic Schools.

What triggered this story was the closing of a parochial school in New York. Thanks to our parents, our teachers and strong community support we have been able to avoid the mass closings that have taken place in other areas of the country. It is impossible for me to express the extent of my gratitude to those who do so much to support Catholic Education.

By the way, the 1968 valedictorian at Blessed Sacrament School in the Bronx was Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, and the projects where she grew up have recently been named in her honor.

The great value of a Catholic education

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Yesterday I visited Bishop Dunne High School. It is one of the great success stories of our diocese, thanks to the joint efforts of faculty, students, parents and the Catholic community.

Once again I was reminded of the great value of a Catholic education. It is so much more than secular education with religion classes added on. It is education rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ designed to enable students to reach the fullness of their potential as individuals created in God’s image.

The goal of Catholic education is to inculcate in students a Christian vision of what the human person is called to be and what the world is destined to become. It brings to fruition seeds of faith planted by parents.

Catholic education does not come without sacrifices. I am astounded at the sacrifices many families make in order to send their children to a Catholic school. Every effort is made to make a Catholic education accessible. Most schools have financial assistance available and no family should rule out sending their child to a Catholic school without inquiring abut financial aid. Parents recognize that the costs of a Catholic education are not only an investment in the future of their child, but also in the future of our society.

I have great admiration for the lay and religious men and women who have created and maintain our Catholic school system and for the parents who make the often difficult choices to send their children to Catholic schools.

The Catholic Foundation’s Annual Award Banquet

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The Catholic Foundation’s Annual Award Banquet happens to fall during Catholic Schools Week this year and it is appropriate that the foundation will honor a Catholic educator on the occasion. Jesuit Father Philip Postell has served as president of Jesuit College Preparatory School since 1992. He will be the 28th recipient of the Catholic Foundation Award. The award not only recognizes Father Postell for his outstanding work and commitment to Catholic education, but also honors the institution he heads. Graduates of Jesuit College Prep are among those leaders who have shaped the Dallas’ Catholic community.

Recognizing and honoring Catholic leaders is one work of the Catholic Foundation, but it is only a small portion of their contribution to the Church of Dallas. The Foundation’s primary function is to furnish a vehicle for those who wish to provide funds for the needs of the diocese and its many agencies. Through investments it enhances the power of charitable resources. From thesw investments it is able to provide grants in excess of five-million dollars a year to various Catholic entities.

From its modest beginnings in 1965 the Catholic Foundation has become a powerhouse for the Church. I commend the Catholic Foundation for its important contributions to our diocese and for honoring the outstanding leaders of our Catholic community.

What a blessing our Catholic schools are!

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As we observe Catholic Schools Week I realize that what sets our Catholic schools apart is that their mission is more than educational excellence, which they certainly provide. In addition our Catholic schools and educators offer students a faith community to support and extend the moral values and discipline nurtured in them by their family.There are more than 15,000 students in our 31 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Dallas. In many cases they represent great sacrifices by parents to pass on their Catholic tradition to their children. I congratulate our Catholic educators for their wonderful work and salute our Catholic school parents for their commitment.